Following the ban of the kombis, our forum of 66,000 members conducted a survey yesterday and the results are as follows:
Good Move- Provide Adequate Transport System first: 140
Long overdue-Good Move: 69
Bad Decision: 33
Conclusion
There is support for the move provided an efficient mass public transport system is put in place.
Implications
No reliable statistics exist of the number of kombis in the country but this is a big hit on their income. Our estimates are that there could be more than 50,000 kombis supporting more than 3 families (The owner of the kombi, the driver and assistant/hwindi). This means 150, 000 affected and if we factor in an average family of 3, then a minimum of 450,000 people affected by the ban. Of course some few will be incorporated in the ZUPCO franchise but it will be a tiny drop in the ocean.
How did we get to this situation?
Kombis had become outlaws! They flouted all the traffic rules with impunity and in the processes creating nemesis all over. City councils did not like them; the traffic police did not like them either-what is worse? They created an acrimonious relationship with their key stakeholders-passengers!
When you start stepping on the toes of everyone then your days are numbered! Kangoma kakanga koririsa…
The missing link
Given the huge number of kombis, the owners should have formed a strong association like in South Africa. An association that gives the sector a voice so that they can engage key stakeholders such as city councils and the government.
The association would have helped resolve contentious issues such as discipline by the kombis-using designated pick up points, reasonable pricing, tax compliance, road traffic rules compliance and customer service.
Self regulation by kombi owners and keeping members in check would have been an asset for sustainability. This is happening across Limpopo and to a limited extent in Bulawayo. We need order on the roads!
But the kombis decided to operate individually and now look at the results.
Way forward
It is not too late to set up or revive an association during the lockdown. They need a strong voice which can be heard by the government. They need to engage them and come up with proposals. Even in South Africa with one of the best mass public transport systems, there is room for kombis.
One area they can look at is coming up with branded kombis and help schools with school runs. This is a big sector in the country but will need a few disciplined kombis to gain the trust of schools, parents and the government. This will be in addition to the few who will manage to register under the ZUPCO franchise.
Some can even register under the delivery vans brand and help in agriculture produce and groceries deliveries across the towns.
There is need to study the South Africa model too where some associations had even pooled resources to buy service stations and bigger buses.
Our ZBIN Ride is another platform kombi owners can use to find clients and the good thing is that it’s free.
With mshikashikas banned too, opportunities created for the tuk tuks in the CBD and Econet had already done some trial runs. Entrepreneurs need to watch closely this emerging opportunity.
Biggest lesson learnt
When you are not organised, when you do not have a strong voice, the result is often doom. This applies to many other sectors in the country especially the informal sector.
